Customer Reviews

Overall:
We enjoyed having a villa large enough for us to enjoy our trip together. The dinner prepared for us by the personal chef was excellent! She even gave us cooking tips! The view is lovely. Lots of room outside and furniture for lounging.I was very thankful that the owner met us down below because GPS and the directions were somewhat confusing. The rooms were spacious by Sicilian standards.Enjoyed Most:
The view and space to gather with friends was great.Enjoyed Least:
The driveway was hard to navigate. We would have liked to walk down and up more often, but it was a fairly long way up - which is par for the course in Taormina. Surrounding Area:
Taormina is beautiful and offers lots of nice dining spots. The city also offers some very interesting places, like the Greek Theatre.Nearby Events or Locales:
You could walk to the Funivia, and the take it up to Taormina. With our knee issues, it was a bit far. There were restaurants down in Mazzarò. We dined in a few, but that and the beaches were all that surrounded the villa.Tips or Restaurants:
Make sure you bring water shoes. The beaches are very rocky. Also, the pool is smaller than it looks, don't plan on going swimming. Lots of good restaurants.Check In Out:
One again, the owner was great meeting us to check-in and accommodating our check out time.

Patricia, June

Overall:
My family and I loved Villa Spisone. The villa was old world charming, and the views from the various outside areas were sublime. We loved being within walking distance of several beautiful beaches and the cable car to charming Taormina. We could not have asked for a better home and location for our adventures in Eastern Sicily!Enjoyed Most:
The villa's location and views were amazing. To wake up looking out at the sea and to spend evenings sipping wine looking out at the same beautiful scene were the highlights of our stay. After a day of cycling and sightseeing, the villa was a lovely refuge to come home to.Enjoyed Least:
As my family has several want-to-be chefs, the kitchen was a bit small for them all to be working together, but the upside was that gave everyone more time for sitting outside enjoying the view, the company and the local wine!Surrounding Area:
The beaches below the villa, especially Isola Bella, were outstanding, and we enjoyed being able to cable up to Taormina in the evening when the sun was setting for drinks or dinner. The villa was also a wonderful location for cycling along the coast and around Etna, wine tasting on the north side of Etna, and day trips by car and bike to the hill towns and beaches on the southeast side of Sicily.Nearby Events or Locales:
Taormina was a short walk and cable car away, but for groceries and morning cappuccino we relied on the small shops and bars below the villa that were within walking distance and markets in or near Mazzaro, which is a short distance by car.Tips or Restaurants:
Bring your sense of wonder and adventure because you are in for a real treat to old-world luxury and comfort. The beaches below the villa are rocky, so we recommend water shoes for easier entrance in and out of the water. Be sure to enjoy a meal or two at any of the fine restaurants in Taormina, especially those on the quieter side streets away from the crowds. We found the restaurant recommendations provided by the host were superb! Directions:
We had no trouble finding the villa using GPS. The villa's entrance is easy to miss the first time, but once you know the landmarks, the gate becomes a familiar and welcoming sight because you know you have come back to the beauty and peacefulness of your temporary Sicilian home!Check In Out:
The check-in and out process went smoothly, and the local host was delightful, full of good advice about the area, restaurants, etc.

Heidi, July

Overall:
This was everything we wanted, and exceeded our expectations, in a villa. It has been in the same family for 5 generations and has been maintained and renovated with love and caring.
The owner, Simonetta, is delightful and interested in your comfortable stay.
The views are without exception captivating. The comfort and joy of exploration of the gardens, seating areas (outside and in) add to the overall positive experience which wants to make you return!
We left desiring to return. Can recommend Villa Spisone for whomever wants a real villa experience with privacy, stunning views and comfort throughout. Enjoyed Most:
Views, privacy, overall comfort level throughout!Enjoyed Least:
DrivewaySurrounding Area:
Taormina, Mt. Etna, local markets.Nearby Events or Locales:
Taormina via cable car. Great ride with fantastic views.Tips or Restaurants:
Simonetta has a great list of restaurants. We discovered "Vista Mare" in Taormina. Fantastic views, great food - past, veal, pizza.
Great service.Directions:
GPS worked.Check In Out:
Simonetta was delightful and very helpful. Obviously, enjoys the process and has a deep love of the property and makes you feel at home the moment you arrive!

Joe, September

Overall:
The property was as described.Enjoyed Most:
The villa was very quaint and well maintained. The patio areas are large with beautiful views of the coastline.Enjoyed Least:
Difficult driveway to negotiate but knew that going in. The location, although convenient, is located near a major road. Additionally, there is a railway about 200 yards below and across the street.Surrounding Area:
Taormina was beautiful with no shortage of fabulous restaurantsNearby Events or Locales:
Yes, and several very good restaurants, as well.Tips or Restaurants:
The owner and past renters have compiled an extensive list of restaurants and things to do.Directions:
No, but a GPS was helpful.Check In Out:
No, the owner was very sweet and accommodating.

Bill, June

Overall:
I traveled with five girlfriends. We loved the property as it afforded us the opportunity to gather and share.Enjoyed Most:
The spectacular views.
The outdoor area was outstanding.
The security precautions.Enjoyed Least:
The driveway was a challenge, with steep hills and sharp curves.Surrounding Area:
Taormina is a beautiful town. We relied on public transportation and walked to most places. We also ventured outside the immediate area by hiring a driver.Nearby Events or Locales:
Mazzaro is nearby and we walked. There were no sidewalks, so we walked on the side of the street. It was sometimes frightening because of cars and scooters speeding by.Tips or Restaurants:
Electrical outlets were a problem. The adapters and converters we brought did not work. Bring adapters and converters with 3 prongs.Directions:
We had driver from airport to the property. He had no trouble finding it.Check In Out:
It all went well.

Jo Marie, June

Overall:
Very nice, great location and quality house with a view to marvel at.Enjoyed Most:
Location, layout and beauty.Enjoyed Least:
Couches were a little stiff for me to snuggle into. Surrounding Area:
Close to town, water and great food.Nearby Events or Locales:
Taormina and it was an easy funicalare ride up the hill.Tips or Restaurants:
All is there and they do have WiFi.Directions:
Directions were good.Check In Out:
Perfect.

Jim, October

Overall:
Marvelous, peaceful, delightful. Phenomenal view from the patio and bedrooms. I burned a picture of the view into my mind by spending at least 5 minutes every morning staring out of our bedroom window after opening the shutters.Enjoyed Most:
It is a very large and spacious villa. We three couples travel together frequently and this villa offered us plenty of space to spread out or to sit together and play games. We experienced several days of warm and lovely weather which allowed us to enjoy the expansive patio area and furniture. Enjoyed Least:
Because of the size of our group, we had a large van. The driveway is very steep and has two very narrow hair-pin turns. We had to carry our luggage and groceries up the driveway. It gave us a good workout each day but we didn't mind--we felt that the trek gave us license to enjoy more of the wonderful local food.Surrounding Area:
Old Taormina. The villa is fairly near the gondola that takes people up to the old city, or you can drive and park 3/4 of the way up and take a bus the rest of the way. Don't make the mistake we did and try and drive all the way in. Big mistake! But gave us a good laugh, after we successfully navigated out. Didn't run over anyone but it was close.Nearby Events or Locales:
There are restaurants near the gondola that can be reached by foot. Tips or Restaurants:
Bug spray! Don't leave home without it. And itch cream. Also, they provide only Italian coffee makers. They work very well but if you've never used one, you'll want to ask for instructions.Directions:
Use GPS!!! Getting out of Catania was a little tricky. We used GPS but it took us through town instead of taking us to the ring. Other than that, it worked very well except that we didn't know precisely what we were looking for when we got there. There is a very small bar at the base of the driveway that simply says BAR (white sign with black letters). It's not always open so there may not be anyone inside. The entrance to the villa is simply a gate. You can't see the house from the road. Check In Out:
Get there before dark, if you can.

Netty, October

Overall:
Beautiful property. Comfortable accommodations. Very pleasant proprietor.Enjoyed Most:
Views!Enjoyed Least:
Kitchen - lacking in ample electrical outlets. Surrounding Area:
Taormina area was exquisite!Nearby Events or Locales:
Isola Bella was closest - a walk up the hill. Going into Taormina required transportation. We drove and took the shuttle and another day we walked up the hill and took the Funicular.Tips or Restaurants:
Bring washcloths and bars of soap. Directions:
We did use a GPS but met the property owner at the bottom of the long driveway, so that was fine.Check In Out:
Checking in was a challenge because we missed our flight connections which made it very late for us to arrive at the villa (around 11:00 PM) but the owner was very gracious about meeting us. Check out was smooth and again we had to leave the villa by 3:00 AM; the owner was there to send us off.

Diane, October

Overall:
We had a great vacation. There were a lot of nice aspects to the house and a few drawbacks, but they didn't detract from our experience.Enjoyed Most:
The outside terraceEnjoyed Least:
As stated in the description, the heating cost was extra. In the end, it was a minimal charge. Using the fireplace was a good idea, but the firewood was an extra cost, as well.
The beds and sheets and blankets could have been softer and more comfortable. Surrounding Area:
Taormina is so charming.
Mt. Etna was magnificent and such a convenient day trip from the villa.Nearby Events or Locales:
There are some restaurants and shops right along the main road near the villa.Tips or Restaurants:
The owner of the house is very happy to help with suggestions. Directions:
Finding the villa was somewhat tricky; it would have been helpful to have more landmarks.

Katie, March

Overall:
Very nice.Enjoyed Most:
View and outside area, as well as location.Enjoyed Least:
Screens would have been nice to have.Surrounding Area:
Town, dining, whole area was delightfulNearby Events or Locales:
Mazzaro; yes, it's within walking distance.Directions:
Didn't use a GPS.

Marge, October

Overall:
The villa was absolutely beautiful. Enjoyed Most:
The view from the veranda was magnificent. And the location of the property, in relation to attractions (such as the cable car to Taormina, the beaches, good restaurants, and other tourist attractions) was excellent.Enjoyed Least:
The driveway... The villa sits on a hillside with a very narrow, steep driveway, complete with 3 or 4 hairpin turns. A smaller sized rental car might have been able to negotiate the turns, however, we did not attempt to do so. We ended up parking nearby on the street and walking up the hill, which was a bit inconvenient, but not a big problem.
Also, there were no screems in the windows and the mosquitoes were relentless. Surrounding Area:
The property was in a beautiful area, close to the Autostrada (highway) and near lots of attractions. And the house itself, on a hillside overlooking the ocean, could not have been better placed. Nearby Events or Locales:
You had to be very careful and dilligent walking along the road to get to many of the restaurants and the beach, but it could be done. Many residents and visitors do walk along the side of the road, so most drivers are cautious. Tips or Restaurants:
Be prepared for the driveway. There was no electric coffee pot in the kitchen, but there was a washer, but no clothes dryer.Directions:
Yes, we had GPS and it was helpful.Check In Out:
The owner drove our car up the driveway, so we could unload the luggage. The owner was also very accommodating when we switched our check out time to late Friday instead of early Saturday.